Virtual assistants for and conversations with non-human entities

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example virtual assistants that allow communications with non-human entities. A virtual assistant associated with a non-human entity may communicate directly with a human user or may communicate with a second virtual assistant associated with the user. Example non-human entities include animals, toys, and connected devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/320,668 filed May 14, 2021. All sections of theaforementioned application are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to communications with virtualassistants.

BACKGROUND

Virtual assistants are in widespread use. Performance of an Internetsearch is a typical use case for a virtual assistant. For example, auser may speak a query into a microphone such as “how far away is themoon?” A virtual assistant may then perform an Internet search and replywith a distance measure and/or a list of websites with pertinentinformation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system including a virtual assistant for a non-humanentity in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIGS. 2B and 2C are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of communications between a human's virtual assistant and anon-human's virtual assistant being initiated by a human in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIGS. 2D and 2E are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of communications between a human's virtual assistant and anon-human's virtual assistant being initiated by a non-human entity inaccordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2F is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of communications between a human's virtual assistant and anon-human's virtual assistant in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 2G depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for a device comprising a processing system including aprocessor, and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations.The operations may include associating a virtual assistant for anon-human entity with a user account, wherein the non-human entityincludes at least one sensor, receiving a sensor reading generated bythe at least one sensor, recording the sensor reading and a timestamp inan entity event log, detecting an event of interest associated with thenon-human entity, and communicating a message regarding the event ofinterest from the virtual assistant for the non-human entity to a deviceassociated with the user account. Other embodiments are described in thesubject disclosure.

Additional aspects include communicating the message to a second virtualassistant associated with the user account, and/or the sensor includinga timer or an environmental sensor. Further aspects include detectingthat the sensor reading exceeds a threshold, and the non-human entitybeing an inanimate object such as a toy or connected device, or ananimate object such as a domestic animal or non-domestic animal.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a non-transitorymachine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, whenexecuted by a processing system including a processor, facilitateperformance of operations. The operations may include associating avirtual assistant for a non-human entity with a user account, whereinthe non-human entity includes at least one sensor, receiving a sensorreading generated by the at least one sensor, recording the sensorreading and a timestamp in an entity event log, detecting an event ofinterest associated with the non-human entity, and communicating amessage regarding the event of interest from the virtual assistant forthe non-human entity to a device associated with the user account.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method,including associating, by a processing system including a processor, avirtual assistant for a non-human entity with a user account, whereinthe non-human entity includes at least one sensor; receiving, by theprocessing system, a sensor reading generated by the at least onesensor; recording, by the processing system, the sensor reading and atimestamp in an entity event log; detecting, by the processing system,an event of interest associated with the non-human entity; andcommunicating, by the processing system, a message regarding the eventof interest from the virtual assistant for the non-human entity to adevice associated with the user account.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a system 100 in accordance withvarious aspects described herein. For example, system 100 can facilitatein whole or in part virtual assistants that allow conversations withnon-human entities. In particular, a communications network 125 ispresented for providing broadband access 110 to a plurality of dataterminals 114 via access terminal 112, wireless access 120 to aplurality of mobile devices 124 and vehicle 126 via base station oraccess point 122, voice access 130 to a plurality of telephony devices134, via switching device 132 and/or media access 140 to a plurality ofaudio/video display devices 144 via media terminal 142. In addition,communication network 125 is coupled to one or more content sources 175of audio, video, graphics, text and/or other media. While broadbandaccess 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130 and media access 140are shown separately, one or more of these forms of access can becombined to provide multiple access services to a single client device(e.g., mobile devices 124 can receive media content via media terminal142, data terminal 114 can be provided voice access via switching device132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

Various embodiments described herein provide a solution to enable a userto conduct a transactional conversation with a non-human entity toperform a task. The conversation may include communication between theuser and a virtual assistant for the entity and may also includecommunication between a virtual assistant for the user and the virtualassistant for the entity. In some embodiments, this includes assigningvirtual assistants to the non-human entities to enable smartcommunication with the user or the user's virtual assistant andperformance of tasks on behalf of the entity. These and otherembodiments are further described below.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system including a virtual assistant for a non-humanentity in accordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 2Ashows a user 230A, a mobile device 232A that includes, or is coupled to,microphone and speakers 234A, non-human entity 270A that includes, or iscoupled to, microphone and speakers 272A, an entity's virtual assistant260A, and communications network 250. In various embodiments describedherein, the user 230A may communicate with either or both of user'svirtual assistant 212A using microphone and speaker 234A or the entity'svirtual assistant 260A using microphone and speaker 272A. As usedherein, the term “virtual assistant” refers to a product able tocommunicate with a human or non-human, and/or with another virtualassistant. For example, virtual assistant 212A may communicate with user230A by providing audio signals and/or receiving audio signals viamicrophone and speaker 234A, or may communicate with user 230A using adisplay, keyboard, or any other human-machine interface reachable byvirtual assistant 212A. Also for example, virtual assistant 260A maycommunicate with user 230A by providing audio signals and/or receivingaudio signals via microphone and speaker 272A, or may communicate withuser 230A using a display, keyboard, or any other human-machineinterface reachable by virtual assistant 260A. In addition, virtualassistants 212A and 260A may communicate with each other, such asdirectly with or without user(s) knowing or otherwise being involved inthe communications. In one embodiment, direct virtual assistantcommunication can be logged, tracked and/or summarized so that a user(s)associated with the virtual assistant(s) can have a history of suchcommunications.

Mobile device 232A may be any type of device capable of providing ahuman-machine interface between a user and a virtual assistant. Forexample, mobile device 232A may be a smart phone, a smart speaker, atablet computer, a laptop computer, or any other device capable ofperforming as described herein. In some embodiments, a virtual assistantmay receive spoken input from user 230A and interpret it asinstructions, and it may speak results or prompts to the user using aspeaker. The virtual assistant may be connected to a network such ascommunications network and/or the Internet.

Non-human entity 270A is any type or kind of object or being that is nota human. For example, in some embodiments, non-human entity 270A may bean animal, such as a domestic pet, a wild animal, or livestock. Also insome embodiments, non-human entity 270A may be an inanimate object suchas a toy, a car, or any other type of connected device. In someembodiments, non-human entity 270A may include one or more sensors.Example sensors include a timer, a still camera, a video camera, atemperature sensor, a location sensor (e.g., a GPS radio), a gyroscope,an accelerometer, a humidity sensor, a biometric sensor, or the like. Insome embodiments, sensor readings are taken periodically or in responseto events, and in further embodiments, certain actions may be taken inresponse to sensor readings. For example, non-human entity 270A mayinitiate communications with user 230A in response to a sensor reading.These and other embodiments are further described below.

Virtual assistant 260A is a virtual assistant that performs servicesfor, or interacts with non-human entity 270A. For example, virtualassistant 260A may initiate communications between non-human entity 270Aand either user 230A or virtual assistant 212A. Virtual assistant 260Ais shown as a server (or a process being performed by a server) separatefrom both communications network 250, microphone and speaker 272A andcommunications network 250; however, in some embodiments, virtualassistant 260A is included within communications network 250 or isdistributed amongst multiple processing entities. For example, one ormore network elements may perform the operations of virtual assistant260A. Also for example, virtual assistant 260A may include functionsperformed on non-human entity 270A and/or network elements withincommunications network 250. In one specific example, non-human entity270A may be a pet that is equipped with its own computing device on acollar that includes networking capabilities and a microphone andspeaker that enables it to have its own virtual assistant, which mayexist elsewhere and be accessible via the network.

Similarly, virtual assistant 212A is shown as a device (or a processbeing performed by device) separate from both communications network250, microphone and speaker 234A and communications network 250;however, in some embodiments, virtual assistant 212A is included withincommunications network 250 or is distributed amongst multiple processingentities. For example, one or more network elements may perform theoperations of virtual assistant 212A. Also for example, virtualassistant 212A may include functions performed on a separate server (notshown) and/or network elements within communications network 250.

FIGS. 2B and 2C are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of communications between a human's virtual assistant and anon-human's virtual assistant being initiated by a human in accordancewith various aspects described herein. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, insome embodiments, an associated virtual assistants database 222A may beaccessible by mobile device 232A and virtual assistant 212A. In theexample of FIGS. 2B and 2C, non-human entity 270B is a dog that isfitted with a collar having microphone and speakers 272A, and aprocessing system including a processor, memory, and networkingcapabilities.

In operation, a particular user may wish to be associated with anon-human entity to allow the user wishes to communicate with thenon-human entity or a virtual assistant for the non-human entity andpossibly instruct it to perform tasks. For example, a non-human entitymay be associated with a user through a user's account with a serviceprovider, such as a mobile services provider or an email provider or anyother software provider. In some embodiments, the user associates thenon-human entity's virtual assistant with their own virtual assistant byadding it to a record 210B in associated virtual assistants database222A. The record 222A may include an entity identifier (e.g., Dog), acall command or identifier that the user will use to invoke the entity'svirtual assistant (e.g., “Hey Spot”), and a unique network address usedto communicate with the entity's virtual assistant (e.g., 40.20.20). Inone embodiment, the command may be a specific name or utterance (e.g.,“Hey Spot” or “Alakazam!”). In another embodiment, the call command maybe augmented with a non-verbal identifier like the appearance of theobject (“red potted plant”) that uses additional sensors attached(directly or via network connection a sensor in the environment or room)to the object 270A, the virtual assistant 260A, or the user's virtualassistant 232A. In one example, an ambient home security camera maydeference which potted plant 270A the user 230A is speaking to by an RGBimage. The record for the entity's virtual assistant may also includepermissions that the user grants to the entity's virtual assistant(e.g., scheduling, purchasing, initiating) to permit the entity'svirtual assistant to schedule appointments for the entity, makepurchases on behalf of the entity, and initiate a communication with theuser. Other types of permissions may be granted. For example, record210B may also include an amount of credits of value (e.g. dollar amountsavailable for purchasing) by the user.

In some embodiments, the dog's collar may be equipped with one or moreon board sensors that may be used to detect conditions of, or about, thedog. Additionally, the dog's collar may be in communication withproximate environmental sensors that the dog's collar may retrieve datafrom over a near field network, such as Bluetooth. In some embodiments,sensor readings over time are used to generate an event log 262B for thenon-human entity which may be stored. This event log may be time stampedand include a record of events, locations, conditions, and othercircumstances detected by sensors that forms a record of the non-humanentity's activities over a period of time.

In some embodiments, the user may initiate a conversation with theentity via the user's virtual assistant. For example, the user may speakthe call command such as “Hey Spot” which is associated with the dogentity. The user may also ask a question (e.g., “when were last at thevet?) that may be answered based on data from the entity's event log(e.g., “I had my annual exam with Dr. Hahn February 1^(st)”). Using theaddress for the dog's virtual assistant, the data may be retrieved forpresentation to the user.

As shown in the example of FIG. 2B, the data for the response may bereturned to the user's virtual assistant 212A via text, and the text maybe translated into speech via text to speech technology. Further, theuser may associate a specific voice on their virtual assistant with thedog entity, thus simulating a voiced response from the dog.Alternatively, a speaker associated with the non-human entity or onboard the non-human entity may be used to speak the result of theresponse. For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, a speaker worn on the collarof the pet may speak the response in a voice associated with the dog.

In some embodiments, the user may respond by requesting the non-humanentity's virtual assistant to perform a task. For example, the user mayask the dog's virtual assistant 260A to schedule a next appointment forthe dog (e.g., “schedule your next annual exam”). This may be allowed ordenied based on permissions granted by the user in record 210B (e.g.,scheduling). The dog's virtual assistant may follow up by scheduling thenext appointment by interacting with the scheduling system of theveterinarian.

In a similar manner, the user may request that the dog's virtualassistant make a purchase on the dog's behalf. In some embodiments, thisis enabled if purchasing is allowed by the user and if credits aresufficient to make the purchase. The dog's virtual assistant may engagein an electronic transaction with a commerce entity to conduct apurchase. In some embodiments, credits may not be necessary for thenon-human entity to have the ability to make a purchase. For example,the dog's virtual assistant may be empowered to use the user's creditcard to make the purchase.

In some embodiments, communication which begins as a user-to-entityvirtual assistant communication may be handed off by the user to theuser's virtual assistant. In these embodiments, the user delegates theuser's virtual assistant to communicate directly with the non-humanentity's virtual assistant to accomplish tasks or conductcommunications. For example, if the dog's virtual assistant makes anappointment with the veterinarian, the dog's virtual assistant maycommunicate subsequently with the user's virtual assistant to make anentry in the user's electronic calendar for the appointment.

FIGS. 2D and 2E are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of communications between a human's virtual assistant and anon-human's virtual assistant being initiated by a non-human entity inaccordance with various aspects described herein. In some embodiments,the user may empower the non-human entity's virtual assistant toinitiate communications with the user. For example, the dog's collar mayuse sensor data or data from the entity event log 262B to identify aneed to communicate to the user. For example, the sensors may indicateto the entity's virtual assistant that the dog has had a significantdecrease in its amount of physical activity, which may be an indicationof a health concern. In the example of FIG. 2D, the dog's virtualassistant may produce audio directly from a speaker on the dog's collaror associated with the dog's collar (e.g., “my activity level is down60% since last month”).

In a similar manner, this solution may be used when the non-human entityis of a different form such as a smart toy. For example, referring nowto FIG. 2E, a smart toy 270E (e.g., a rubber duck with networkconnectivity) may be associated with the user in record 210B. In theexample, of FIG. 2E, the entity may be “toy,” the call command may be“hey, ducky,” the example address may be “40.10.20,” and the permissionsand credits may be set in any manner.

In these embodiments, the toy's virtual assistant may initiate acommunication with a user, such as a child, to prompt a communication orconversation. In the example of FIG. 2E, the toy may recall from theentity event log 262B a vacation in the past, and may prompt the childto recall the memory. In the example of FIG. 2E, the non-human entitycommunicates to the user through the user's virtual assistant 212A(e.g., “remember when we went to the beach last year?”).

In some embodiments, communications initiated by the non-human entitymay be followed up with other types of communication. For example thetoy may be able to retrieve photographs or videos or other artifacts inelectronic form from the event, such as the vacation, and present themto the child, either via a display on the toy, or a display on thechild's virtual assistant or device.

FIG. 2F is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of communications between a human's virtual assistant and anon-human's virtual assistant in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein. In various embodiments, the non-human entity may be anelectronic device. For example, it may be a networked device in a home,such as a smoke detector, laptop, printer, alarm system, or any othertype of network capable device. In the specific example of FIG. 2F, thenon-human entity is a smoke detector 270G. Smoke detector 270G may beassociated with the user in record 210B. In the example, of FIG. 2F, theentity may be “smoke detector,” the call command may be “hey, smokey,”the example address may be “40.40.20,” and the permissions and creditsmay be set in any manner.

Similar to previous examples, communications may be initiated by any ofthe user, the user's virtual assistant, or the non-human entity'svirtual assistant. For example, the user may initiate communications bycalling out the call command (e.g., “hey smokey, when did I installyou?”), and the smoke detector may respond (e.g., “one year ago thisweekend. Is it OK for me to order batteries?”). Also for example, thenon-human entity may initiate a conversation or transaction with theuser. For example, the smoke detector may ask the user if the device maymake a purchase or take another action on its own behalf without firstbeing prompted. In the example of FIG. 2F, the smoke detector may causeaudio to be produced at the user's virtual assistant, whereas in someembodiments, the smoke detector may cause audio to be produced at itsown speaker, such as microphone and speaker 272A. In one embodiment, theconversation may be initiated by the entity's virtual assistant 260A bya state stored in the event log 262B. In another embodiment, theconversation may be initiated by a sensor reading that was executed“just in time” at the moment of the user's first query (e.g., aninstantaneous reading from a pulse monitor connected to a domesticatedanimal).

FIG. 2G depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein. At 210G of method 200G, a virtualassistant for a non-human entity is associated with a user account,where the non-human entity includes at least one sensor. The at leastone sensor may include any type of sensor either directly coupled to thenon-human entity or reachable by the non-human entity via a networkconnection a near field connection, or the like. In some embodiments,the virtual assistant for the non-human entity is associated with theuser account by including a record in an associated virtual assistancedatabase, such as record 210B described with reference to previousfigures.

At 220G, a sensor reading generated by the at least one sensor isreceived. In some embodiments, this corresponds to reading a timervalue, recording a temperature, recording a humidity value, a location,or any other type of data capable of being generated by a sensor. At230G, the sensor reading and a timestamp is recorded in an entity eventlog. In some embodiments, this corresponds to a sensor reading beingstored in an entity event log such as entity event log 262B. At 240G, anevent of interest associated with a non-human entity is detected. Insome embodiments this corresponds to comparing the sensor reading to athreshold. For example, a smoke detector may have recorded a time atwhich batteries were installed and an event of interest may be triggeredwhen a particular threshold of time has passed. Also for example, adog's collar may compare an activity level with a threshold activitylevel and initiate communications with a user when the threshold iseither exceeded or not met.

At 250G, a message regarding the event of interest is communicated fromthe virtual assistant for the non-human entity to a device associatedwith the user account. In some embodiments, this corresponds to virtualassistant 260A communicating with a user's device such as mobile device232A to communicate with the user. In other embodiments, the entity'svirtual assistant 260A may communicate with the user using a speakerthat is part of, or coupled to, the non-human entity. For example, adog's virtual assistant may communicate using speech generated at aspeaker on a dog's collar.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 2G, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of the systems andmethods described herein. For example, virtualized communication network300 can facilitate in whole or in part virtual assistants that allowconversations with non-human entities.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1 ),such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part virtual assistants that allowconversations with non-human entities.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4 , the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part virtual assistants that allow conversations withnon-human entities. In one or more embodiments, the mobile networkplatform 510 can generate and receive signals transmitted and receivedby base stations or access points such as base station or access point122. Generally, mobile network platform 510 can comprise components,e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, thatfacilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP),frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS)traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation fornetworked wireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobilenetwork platform 510 can be included in telecommunications carriernetworks, and can be considered carrier-side components as discussedelsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 510 comprises CS gatewaynode(s) 512 which can interface CS traffic received from legacy networkslike telephony network(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network(PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7(SS7) network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticatetraffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CSgateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generatedthrough SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a visitedlocation register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CSgateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PSgateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gatewaynode(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS supportnode(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specificoperation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and servingnode(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilizedby mobile network platform 510 for telecommunication over a radio accessnetwork 520 with other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5 , and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125. For example,computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part virtualassistants that allow conversations with non-human entities.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, xn), toa confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence(class). Such classification can employ a probabilistic and/orstatistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilitiesand costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desires to beautomatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example ofa classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates by finding ahypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which the hypersurfaceattempts to split the triggering criteria from the non-triggeringevents. Intuitively, this makes the classification correct for testingdata that is near, but not identical to training data. Other directedand undirected model classification approaches comprise, e.g., naïveBayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logicmodels, and probabilistic classification models providing differentpatterns of independence can be employed. Classification as used hereinalso is inclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to developmodels of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: receiving, at a first virtualassistant that operates a first user interface device attached to ananimal, an information request originating from a call command for thefirst virtual assistant being recognized by a second virtual assistantat a second user interface device remote from the first user interfacedevice; responsive to the information request, detecting an event ofinterest associated with the animal; and communicating a messageregarding the event of interest by generating an audible voice signalrepresenting the animal from the first user interface device attached tothe animal.
 2. The device of claim 1, the operations further comprising:receiving a sensor reading generated by a sensor attached to the animal;and recording the sensor reading and a timestamp in an entity event log.3. The device of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a timer.
 4. Thedevice of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises an environmental sensor.5. The device of claim 2, the operations further comprising detectingthat the sensor reading exceeds a threshold.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein the first user interface device comprises a collar on theanimal.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the collar includes a locationsensor.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the location sensor comprisesa global positioning sensor (GPS) radio.
 9. A non-transitorymachine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, whenexecuted by a processing system including a processor, facilitateperformance of operations, the operations comprising: receiving, at afirst virtual assistant that operates a first user interface deviceattached to an animal, an information request originating from a callcommand for the first virtual assistant being recognized by a secondvirtual assistant at a second user interface device remote from thefirst user interface device; responsive to the information request,detecting an event of interest associated with the animal, wherein thedetecting the event of interest includes receiving a sensor readinggenerated by a sensor attached to the animal; and communicating amessage regarding the event of interest by generating an audible voicesignal representing the animal from the first user interface deviceattached to the animal.
 10. The non-transitory machine-readable mediumof claim 9, the operations further comprising recording the sensorreading and a timestamp in an entity event log.
 11. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises atimer.
 12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9,wherein the sensor comprises an environmental sensor.
 13. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, the operationsfurther comprising detecting that the sensor reading exceeds athreshold.
 14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9,wherein the first user interface device comprises a collar on theanimal.
 15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 14,wherein the collar includes a location sensor.
 16. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the location sensorcomprises a global positioning sensor (GPS) radio.
 17. A method,comprising: receiving, by a processing system including a processor, ata first virtual assistant that operates a first user interface deviceattached to an animal, an information request originating from a callcommand for the first virtual assistant being recognized by a secondvirtual assistant at a second user interface device remote from thefirst user interface device; responsive to the information request,detecting, by the processing system, an event of interest associatedwith the animal; and communicating, by the processing system, a messageregarding the event of interest by generating an audible voice signalrepresenting the animal from the first user interface device attached tothe animal.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving,by the processing system, a sensor reading generated by a sensorattached to the animal; and recording, by the processing system, thesensor reading and a timestamp in an entity event log.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the sensor comprises a timer.
 20. The method of claim18, wherein the sensor comprises an environmental sensor.